1984

           Igavehimagooddressing-downforit. InfactItoldhimI’dtakethecatapultawayifhedoesitagain.’ 

           ‘Ithinkhewasalittleupsetatnotgoingtotheexecution,’saidWinston. 

           ‘Ah,well—whatImeantosay,showstherightspirit,doesn’tit? Mischievouslittlebeggarstheyare,bothofthem,buttalkaboutkeenness! AlltheythinkaboutistheSpies,andthewar,ofcourse. D’youknowwhatthatlittlegirlofminedidlastSaturday,whenhertroopwasonahikeoutBerkhamstedway? Shegottwoothergirlstogowithher,slippedofffromthehike,andspentthewholeafternoonfollowingastrangeman. Theykeptonhistailfortwohours,rightthroughthewoods,andthen,whentheygotintoAmersham,handedhimovertothepatrols.’ 

           ‘Whatdidtheydothatfor?’saidWinston,somewhattakenaback.Parsonswentontriumphantly: 

           ‘Mykidmadesurehewassomekindofenemyagent—mighthavebeendroppedbyparachute,forinstance. Buthere’sthepoint,oldboy. Whatdoyouthinkputherontohiminthefirstplace? Shespottedhewaswearingafunnykindofshoes—saidshe’dneverseenanyonewearingshoeslikethatbefore. Sothechanceswerehewasaforeigner. Prettysmartforanipperofseven,eh?’ 

           ‘Whathappenedtotheman? ’saidWinston. 

           ‘Ah,thatIcouldn’tsay,ofcourse. ButIwouldn’tbealtogethersurprisedif——’ Parsonsmadethemotionofaimingarifle,andclickedhistonguefortheexplosion.